Today I saw a butterfly that I am pretty sure belongs to the Sulphurs family. I couldn't tell because I couldn't get close enough to the butterfly. I have been pushing for a pair of close range binoculars for Father's Day from my kids. Can anyone tell me what forum binoculars are covered in davesgarden? I tried going to Google but I was overwhelmed what was available and to be truthful, I didn't understand most of it. Any help I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Chuck
Purchasing Binoculars for Watching Butterflies
Chuck,
I have had numerous binoculars over the years but was never truly satisfied with any as far as butterflying went.
However, late last year I purchased the Pentax Papilio 6.5 x 21 binoculars from the B&H Photo Video website and they are fantastic!!! I am really impressed with their close focusing ability. Awesome down to 1.6 feet (50 centimeters or about 18 inches). Field of view is 393 feet at 1000 yards.
They are fairly light weight too...so I often carry those as well as my camera around my neck.
I can easily hold them in my left hand and focus in on what I want using just one finger and use my right hand to hold my camera or my Butterflies of North America Kaufman Focus Guide when I'm out in the field.
We have lots of lepidopterists out here and they have been butterflying for years. When they got a look-see through the Papilio they were quite impressed. The majority of them have old binoculars and are quite adverse to change but several have since given in and bought a new pair of Papilio binocs too.
Google for the Pentax Papilio 6.5 x 21 and read the reviews on it. Am sure you'll be very pleased with the specifications and performance.
~ Cat
This message was edited Jun 12, 2006 10:35 PM
The Audubon birding series are great to. Exceptional close range viewing and well as long range. Reasonable price. http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=1&type=19&purch=1&pid=4095 these are the best one but have some other ones a little less in price. They are worth every penny too. Take it from a hard core birder/butterflier
Thanks for replying to the message. Donna B, I had already ordered the Pentax Papilio 6.6 x 21 when I received your message. Cat, I took your advice and ordered the Pentax binoculars. I receive it on Friday from New York. It looks really great. What really sold me is I am going to the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles to watch the Jeremy McGrath Invitational (motorcycle racing) and these binoculars can be used for sporting events also. I can hardly wait until I get the binoculars.
Now I gotta tell my kids why I don't need binoculars for Father's Day...Uh OH!!
Thanks again,
Chuck
Chuck,
Yes, they are really great and the cost is extremely reasonable. You're going to love them. I take mine everywhere...from butterflies to baseball games and everything in between. They are so lightweight I just about forget I have them around my neck or in my backpack.
Now if we could only get a company to make a bino-cam that could take photos with the same clarity! I have bought several bino-cams over the past couple of years and they all suck!
~ Cat